Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Psychosis

Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals that are found within the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa). Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main constituents cannabinoids and is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. This paper will look at the role of the endocannabinoid system and how it relates to psychotic symptoms in animal and humans. CBD is also reviewed in this paper to see if it has a potential as an antipsychotic medicine.

CBD May Have Potential as An Antipsychotic Treatment

Previous studies have suggested that the side effects of cannabidiol are minimal and this means its has a good potential as an antipsychotic treatment. The vanilloid receptor was found to be in important in allowing CBD to work and it has been seen that CBD’s neuropharmacological profile is similar to normal antipsychotic medicine. Studies have found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD have very distinctive effects on subjects that have developed psychotic disorders.

CBD May Reverse the Psychological Effects of THC

Animal studies have shown that CBD can actually reverse the effects of psychosis like behaviours arising from THC. The data of this study suggests that CBD is capable of having a protective effect on cannabis use associated with hippocampus volume loss. Brain scans have shown that when a task is carried out on psychosis, THC and CBD can help the functioning of the striatum, prefrontal cortex and medial temporal cortex. When CBD content is high in cannabis, psychotic effects are kept at a minimum. Since people have a good tolerance to CBD, along with its cheap cost, antipsychotic medication can be made from it to treat patients with psychosis.

Registered with the British Psychological Society, breaking the taboo on mental health issues is one of the driving forces in Jonathan's life. His background in biomedicine gives him additional understanding of the factors that work together to influence the human condition.